The Caile House
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This caliche block home was built by Robert Caile (d. 1879) soon after he purchased the property in 1857. Caile, who came to Texas from England, later enlarged the residence with an addition during the post-Civil War period. A part of the 1812 Spanish land grant to Delores Alderete, the site remained in Caile family until 1894, when it was purchased as rental property by Jacob Hotz, Farmer. After his death in 1928, relatives owned the house until the 1940s. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
English immigrant Robert Caile built this caliche-block house soon after buying the property in 1857, on land that had been part of an 1812 Spanish grant to Delores Alderete. He enlarged it after the Civil War, and the home stayed in his family until 1894 before passing to a farmer who rented it out. It stands as a tangible link across San Antonio's Spanish-colonial and American frontier eras.
Why it matters
The house layers Spanish land-grant history with immigrant settlement, embodying the blended heritage that shaped early San Antonio.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Briscoe Western Art Museum0.1 mi away · 210 West Market Street
- Instituto Cultural de Mexico0.2 mi away
- San Antonio Art League Museum0.3 mi away · TX
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.3 mi away
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium0.3 mi away
- Villa Finale Visitor Center0.3 mi away
Attractions
- La Villitanearby
- Yanaguana Garden0.1 mi away
- River boat boarding0.2 mi away
- Sea Life Aquarium0.3 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
Food & drink
- McDonald's0.2 mi away · 101 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX
- Chipotle0.2 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- Cafe Ole0.2 mi away
- The Original Mexican Restaurant0.2 mi away
- Agave Bar0.3 mi away
- Lone Star Cafe0.3 mi away
Places to stay
- Hilton Palacio del Rio0.1 mi away
- The Monarch San Antonio0.1 mi away
- Hotel Contessa0.2 mi away · 306 West Market Street
- The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio0.2 mi away · 420 West Market Street, San Antonio
- Marriott Riverwalk0.3 mi away
- Mokara Hotel and Spa0.3 mi away · 212 West Crockett Street, San Antonio, TX
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
Own a business near here? Add it to the map.
Related people
- · Robert Caile
- · Delores Alderete
Themes & tags
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